Cindy!

Yep,Highway...that's the biggest mistake I see beginning teachers make. Then after fighting a losing battle in classroom management...they realize it isn't about being popular...it's about being an effective teacher. Students learn best with structure and knowing what is expected from them. I usually give my students a rubric when I give them an assignment. That way they know exactly what I'm looking for. Also...when you do have to write up a student, even if you have to fuss at them...always remember their dignity and use active listening skills. Then when the situation is over...it's over. Don't let lingering emotions determine how you handle that student. Students who realize that you don't hold whatever they did against them (they have a fresh start) tend to not get so bogged down in self esteem issues. Humor is a wonderful tool for de-escalating bad behaviors. They will work as hard for you as you show them that you believe they can. So set your standards high and hold them to those standards.

I agree, too. I no longer even attempt to be the "good girl" and please people. ESPECIALLY when, as you said, Ham...you wouldn't even treat a DOG like that!!! No excuse for that kind of behavior and no reason to allow it. (and it actually shows how needy and immature a person is when they act that way)

Thirty one flavors...thirty one days in July! Now, where's my spoon and the nearest Baskin-Robbins????

...a gs member is in the middle of interviews for their first teaching position and asked me about classroom management techniques and ideas. I gave em some info...but thought it would be great to get the input of some of the teachers here at the spot. What advice would you give for someone entering the teaching profession regarding classroom management??? (I have already talked about Harry Wong with them, but haven't mentioned some of the teacher techniques Harry never covers) Teachers?? Professors?? Anyone???? :)-->

In our marriage, not only do Steve and I have extwi baggage to deal with...but we have ex-spouse baggage to deal with as well. From time to time baggage will come up...and when it does, we have a plan in place to alert each other that this is a "baggage" moment. (and it can get emotional....VERY emotional) We know to back off and give the time needed and come back to it later when we have had a chance to 'process' it to the point that it is not an emotional knee-jerk response. We then approach it later, when we are ready, as a team. There is no blame or shame (though there IS plenty of emotion!). We can then approach each topic knowing that we are united as a team. With this method...we have never had a fight or raised our voices to each other. We realize that the enemy is not each other...but the experiences we have had either with twi or other relationships. Steve and I posted this together....not to "brag" but to be sure that you know, Chas ... that trouble in marriage is ok....normal....and can be handled. You and mathman are a wonderful couple. Remember that!!! Set up a plan so that old hurts and damages do not make your marriage less sweet...but in contrast....encourage you to support each other in the ways that your marriage and young family are so very, very sweet. Love is a very very sweet family thing that also takes a very sweet family plan!

Every single woman I have talked to has had the same problem with their marriage....a number of "manifestations" of that problem....but the same problem, nonetheless. At the risk of sounding simplistic....they all...every single one....knew that they were not important to their husbands. Whether this was through verbal clues, physical clues, or simply absence...it is true for each one of them. When they took action...the husband would "wake up" but only to how it was affecting him....not to any real depth. On the other hand...I also have many women friends in their fifties who feel valued, loved, and cherished by their husbands and would sooner tear a limb off than leave someone whom they are, feel and continue to be so very close to and cherished by.

It might not be so weird when you think about it and realize that the women who are reaching their fifties now are the same women who did not stay home and raise families ala fifties and-sixties-Happy-Days/Father-Knows-Best fame. These ladies now are part of the generation that helped turn women's lib around and were hippies n rebels n such. Probably what you're seeing are women who just have had enough of whatever they've had enough of and are ready to LIVE and be HAPPY!!! At least that's what I've seen from the women in their fifties that I know.

tsk, tsk TGN !

Don't bother seein Bewitched, Raf...I saw it with Jess and Kat this past weekend...it's DUMB....sweet....but DUMB!!!!

geez!!! whadda waste of the court's time but nicely written, Raf!

I know it...I know it!!!! But, in the interest of fairness... I won't answer, since I live wif da man and we share a brain. -->

;)-->

Just proves what Steve! and I have thought about you for quite a while now...you ARE a true friend, Raf!!! Very rare, indeed.

While reading an article on Cruise and his antics, saw this paragraph and laughed out loud: "Tom and Katie got engaged on Friday and, once again, the media somehow found out about it," late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel said on his show last week. "If we promise to go see 'War of the Worlds,' will you please make this stop?" amen and amen -->

G'bye Paul...thanks for the tiggeriffic times!

Here's Jess graduating!!! Thank you, sharon for helping us get her the IPod!!!!!!

"Yeah" or something

Raf... No...I was saying that if they sell them at Six Flags...when we are there for the weekend...we can pick a Marvin up and mail him to whomever!

WN...Pumpkin looks PRECIOUS!!!!! Lots of love and luck with that adorable pup!!! LindaZ....yeah...we're related to WN....yeah....by marriage...yeah, that's it....and our mom is Morgan Fairchild...yeah, uh huh....yeah, and we live in a big house on a hill with lots of photographers around...yeah...and we're rich...yeah...um...right WN???? :D-->

It is just SO SICK that twi made the emotions that god gave us to function in life such dirty things. Those feelings that can alert us to danger, b.s., joy, etc. So that when we were truly unhappy, we didn't listen to that still small voice but instead "renewed our minds" and ignored that wonderful system of emotions that god created in us. Like God is so weak that we all hafta be Spock to do anything right. ew

There would be something SERIOUSLY wrong with a parent (not just the mother) who did not worry. Children are, after all, our hearts walking around outside of our bodies 24/7. It only becomes a problem if that worry is overwhelming...means either something is up with the kid and that inner "parent radar" is goin off, or the parent needs to find a way to deal with anxiety so that it is normal/healthy and doesn't control their lives exclusively (and doesn't teach the kids to do the same).

Have a wonderful birthday, Oak!!!!! From the ! gang

Happy Father's Day mydarlingsteve! Thank you for being the wonderful father that our children have longed for and trust in. You continually make our lives *sing*! We love you!!!! Mom, Jess, Kat, Josh (aka WD), and Zach -->

Yet another picture (these aren't great....when we get a better pic, we'll post it) It's adorable...Rose follows Zach everywhere and he whispers and talks to her about all his secrets! It is truly a boy and his dog!

Another picture